SRINAGAR: As hundreds of people gathered in Leh to welcome environmental activist and Leh Apex Body (LAB) member Sonam Wangchuk after his release from jail, he struck a conciliatory tone on Sunday, urging the Union govt to ensure that forthcoming talks with Ladakhi leaders are based on a “win-win” approach for both Ladakh and the Centre.While he emphasised on a “give and take” formula without mentioning the Sixth Schedule or statehood in his address to the gathering, at the same time, Wangchuk said he would continue his struggle, if needed.The reception was organised by LAB, which along with Kargil Democratic Alliance, is seeking statehood and a Sixth Schedule for the UT of Ladakh.“My fight was for Ladakh’s people, its culture, environment, for its rivers, flora and fauna, and glaciers.
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Their success is my success,” Wangchuk said, as people carried banners reading ‘Justice for Ladakh’, ‘Withdraw Sept 24 cases’, and ‘Ladakh will not forget its fallen heroes’, along with portraits of four people killed in the police firing in Leh on Sept 24 last year.Describing the movement as a “new dawn”, he said it was entering a “new phase”, but he called for “flexible steps”. He said he had been told the govt had acknowledged the Sept 24 firing as a mistake and was seeking to rectify it. He hoped that justice would be delivered in the case and those arrested would also be released.Wangchuk was arrested on Sept 26, 2025 under NSA and lodged in Jodhpur jail. Last week, MHA revoked his detention stating the govt remains committed to providing all necessary safeguards for Ladakh and hoped that the issues concerning the region will be resolved through “constructive engagement and dialogue”.The last round of talks took place on Feb 4, but remained inconclusive. Ladakhi leaders have sought another round of talks soon.Wangchuk said Ladakhi leaders will go for talks with hope that there is a win-win outcome, not otherwise, as is being rumoured in the region. Holding his cards close to his chest, Wangchuk said after forthcoming talks, Ladakhi leaders would again reach out to people across the country and convey whether the talks resulted in a “win-win or a lose-lose outcome”.
